Spring Roof Inspection Checklist: What to Check After Winter

What to Check in March and April

The ridge line. Binoculars from the garden. Look along the ridge from end to end — it should be a perfectly straight line. Any section that appears to have dropped, or where a tile sits at a slightly different angle from its neighbours, has been disturbed by frost action or wind loading over winter. Mortar gaps wider than 5mm in the ridge bedding will have admitted water; if the temperature dropped below zero while those gaps were wet, the freeze-thaw action will have widened them further.

The tile surface. Still from the ground: scan each slope for tiles that are out of alignment with their course. On older Bedgrove and similar 1970s estate properties with nail sickness, look specifically for tiles sitting very slightly proud — this is early-stage nail sickness becoming active. Any tile that moved over winter will move further in the next storm.

The valleys. Valleys accumulate debris over winter — leaf material from autumn combined with moss growth creates a dam that holds standing water above the tile laps on the adjacent slopes. In a wet spring, this can cause slow seepage into the loft. Check from the ground whether the valley appears clear or shows a line of debris.

The chimney stack and flashings. Chimneys are the most exposed element of any roof. Look for mortar dust or debris on the slope below the stack — this indicates winter spalling of the haunching or pointing. From inside: check the chimney breast wall for new damp patches that weren't there before winter.

Inside the Loft: The Winter Audit

Inspect the loft in daylight. Any new damp staining on the felt or timber that wasn't there last autumn indicates water entry over winter. New staining at the ridge line indicates ridge mortar failure; staining in a valley position indicates valley blockage or flashing failure; staining at a consistent point on the slope indicates a specific tile failure. Fresh staining that's still slightly damp in March/April is recent — the winter damage is still active.

Also check gutters: are they correctly pitched toward the outlets? Any section that now holds standing water (visible as a green or algae-stained low point) has dropped since last year — a bracket has failed or the fascia has softened behind it. Address this before spring rainfall adds weight and accelerates the failure.

Prioritising What You Find

Not everything found in a spring inspection needs immediate attention. Ridge mortar gaps under 10mm in a non-exposed position can wait until a convenient time. Tiles that are visibly displaced and have created an opening should be addressed before the next significant rainfall. Active damp patches in the loft are P1 — they indicate ongoing water entry that will cause progressive timber damage. We provide free surveys and written reports with prioritised recommendations — call 0129 670 6028 to book a post-winter inspection.